FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

Name: Austin Zentmyer
Age: 24
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Colony BMX and Dan's Comp

Name: Twan van Gendt
Number in Rio: 148
Country: The Netherlands
Result: 5th in semi

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
Twan van Gendt: Well it was pretty tough. Jelle and I where the first nominated but due a lot of injuries I almost missed out on the Olympics. Making the main at the World Championships saved and secured my spot for the Olympics

Name: Stefany Hernández
Number in Rio: 469
Country: Venezuela
Result: Bronze Medal

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
Stefany Hernández: The toughest competition was against myself. I was giving my best to get a spot for my country. I'm the only female rider.

Name: David Graf
Number in Rio: 48
Country: Switzerland
Result: 14 I think

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
David Graf: It was probably the hardest one of all the countries this year. Between Renaud Blanc and myself. The fact we had to choose between World Cup ranked 4 and 5 after Papendal speaks a lot I guess.

What kind of preparation did you do with the National Olympic team before you took off to Brasil?
David Graf: I stayed at home, followed my normal routine and tried to avoid the hype.

The track looked a bit different than at the test event(s). What did you like about the Olympic track and what did you think didn't work?
David Graf: I liked everything but the first turn. It was probably the most fun track I've ridden in my career.

Name: Gabriela Diaz
Number in Rio: 446
Country: Argentina
Result: 10th place

"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

Name: Harry Bartter
Age: 19
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Monster Skatepark

Name: Trent Jones
Number in Rio: 279
Country: New Zealand   
Result: 13th

What kind of preparation did you do with the National Olympic team before you took off to Brasil?
Trent Jones: Not a lot, seeing I employ a private coach, Sean Dwight. In which we had a plan to train in Chula Vista prior to the games. In which Connor Fields came back on board with training under Sean so we spent 8 solid weeks together knocking out the work that needed to be done to prepare.

Name: Cory Coffey
Age: Old enough to be your mom, literally
Hometown: Ojai, California
Hook-ups/Sponsors: Troy Lee Designs, My Baby Daddy

Name: Joris Daudet
Number in Rio: 33
Country: France
Result: Quarter final

How big was your struggle even making it to the Olympics?
Joris Daudet: It was not a big struggle for me, I had a good season with no injuries, so I knew a little bit before that I would be in the team.

Scotty Cranmer (and many others) enjoy riding BMX race bikes. Intended for use on a variety of challenging surfaces, both on-road and off-road, this equipment does not always withstand accidents well. Scotty Cranmer recently posted a video online discussing his recovery from life- threatening injuries he sustained while riding.

His account reveals both the unbridled enthusiasm of dedicated BMX hobbyists and the potential hazards involved in biking over randomly selected and potentially unsuitable off-road locations.